Are You a Christian Pagan? – 1 Samuel 4

When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let’s take the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh, so that He may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” (3)

Beware of being a Christian pagan! I know that seems like an oxymoron because how could a Christian be a pagan? I have a friend who always says that Animism is under the surface of everything around the world. Animism is the belief that personal spiritual beings (like ancestors) and impersonal spiritual forces (like magic) have power over human affairs. So, the secret is to find a way to manipulate those beings and forces to get what you want. This concept is the pagan spirit behind the Israelites’ view of the Ark. They thought there was something “magical” about it, and so if they just took it into battle, then they would win the day. They failed to realize that the power was never the object but the God who accompanied it. If God did not go out with them, they would fail, which is precisely what happened. They lost the battle, the Ark was stolen, and the Israelites were confused and devastated.

Before we criticize those “pagan” acting Israelites, we must admit that we are often guilty of the same. Throughout history, Christians have thought that there was power in objects like crosses, holy water, and spiritual places. Even today, in the world of the prosperity gospel and neo-Pentecostalism, people seek out a handkerchief that has been touched by a man of God, anointing oil, and all manner of “magical” options. Many “Christians” today are simply pagans who trust in magic instead of believing in the God of the bible. He is the source of all power, and He is the one we must trust in, not an object or place. My friend is right; Animism is everywhere. I am fascinated by people in America who say they don’t believe in God, but they believe in every other kind of supernatural tripe from Vampires to Werewolves and every kind of magical fantasy tale. It is incredible how many “Atheistic Animists” in the West reject everything supernatural in Christianity but embrace the animistic, pagan holiday of Halloween.

Why will people believe in any magical item, lucky token, or fanciful tales of Harry Potter, but they refuse to believe in God? It is for the same reason why the Israelites believed in the “power” of the Ark but rejected the God of the bible. Personal spiritual beings and impersonal spiritual forces don’t expect anything from you. They exist to serve you and give you what you want, but they don’t demand your allegiance, dedication, or holiness. They don’t call you out on your sin and expect you to follow them as Lord. Jesus expects (and deserves) all of those things. Christ alone has the power to change your life and change this world. Yet, He demands that you repent of your sins and submit to Him as Lord. He deserves first place in your life, and He expects uncompromised allegiance. He is worthy and deserving of those things, and to be quite honest, it is a joy and privilege to give Him those things. If you truly know Him, you can’t help but love and worship Him. Be careful that your faith is not in the pagan trappings of our current Christian culture. Follow the God of the Bible and Trust in Him alone.

Note: My definition of Animism is borrowed from Gailyn Van Rheenen in “Communicating Christ in Animistic Contexts,” (Baker Book House, 1991).